Inherited items can be modified to fit your style

“There is nothing which we receive with so much reluctance as advice.” — Joseph Addison (1672-1719), English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician. The Spectator (1711)

Just because. How many times in our lives have we heard that phrase? For me personally probably thousands. This answer is often given because there is no real explanation for a question or situation. “Just because” means this is the way it is — and no more explanations.

What we have to learn in our lives is that answer means very little and we each have the right and obligation to go for what we want, need, care about, etc. Or not get caught up in a situation “just because.”

We hear all the time about how to behave, react, act, answer, do, believe — there are so many verbs that could fit this line that I won’t go any further — just because.

Being a part of the design industry and having the privilege of writing this column for years, “just because” gets said a lot. Not in a mean or insulting way — and I don’t want to say it — just because.

In several of my columns I have talked about furniture, finishes or a million other things, and sometimes recommendations of things to do or not to do in our homes. Well, as you can imagine, I have had responses also.

And I totally understand, just because I might recommend something doesn’t mean for a second that anybody has to do it. Or like it. That’s the beauty of having our spaces to look like and mean what we want them to.

So along these lines, over the years I’ve had many conversations with friends, family and clients who inherit things from parents or family that certainly don’t reflect their style, but they feel compelled to keep the piece because it belonged to whomever — just because.

And, please, don’t misunderstand. I’m all for the sentimental thing; however, there are differing views and different ways to pay respect. Pieces that we grew up with or admired in family members’ homes tend to look different when we’re all grown up and have developed our own style.

Most of us do not have the luxury of a “spare” room to put inherited items in, but there are other ways to incorporate beloved family pieces into your current décor. As you know, having furniture and accessories from different eras and styles just adds interest to a space. However, inheriting your father’s recliner, a la Frasier, may require a little more effort to make it work.

Upholstered pieces can be re-covered easily. You don’t have to live with the brown plaid sofas or orange velvet sofa (I actually inherited one).

I have seen beautiful little Victorian settees and chaises recovered to fit into modern or contemporary spaces. The juxtaposition of a Louis sofa upholstered in a vibrant modern print is exciting and the piece makes a great addition to an entryway, bedroom or sitting room.

Casegoods such as dining tables, buffets and desks can be incorporated into any style. Victorian or traditional tables can be gussied up with modern chairs, either acrylic or fully upholstered slipper chairs. Conversely, a traditional buffet will live very happily with a glass top, acrylic or other modern dining table.

Desks or dressers can be reconfigured to give them new life. Changing out the hardware for a more modern style and painting or refinishing will announce their arrival into today’s style.

So the moral is that inheriting treasures from anyone can be a win-win for all concerned. Changing the color or upholstery does not diminish your feelings for your loved ones or their possessions. You are simply putting your stamp on them, and, most probably, some day someone will put their stamp on yours. That’s the sign of true sentiment. Just because.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and past president of the Architectural &Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.